WinPcap

WinPcap

WinPcap is a free, open-source library for packet capture and network analysis on Windows. It allows applications to capture and transmit network packets, providing low-level network access to analyze and troubleshoot network issues.
Network & Admin Packet Capture
WinPcap image
networking packets capture analysis troubleshooting
WinPcap alternatives ➤

WinPcap: Free Network Capture & Analysis

Free, open-source library for packet capture and network analysis on Windows, providing low-level network access for troubleshooting and analyzing network issues.

What is WinPcap?

WinPcap is an open-source library for packet capture and network analysis for the Win32 platforms. It provides a high-level and low-level API to capture and transmit network packets, giving developers direct access to packets traveling over the network.

Some key features of WinPcap include:

  • Capturing raw packets, filtering them based on various criteria, and analyzing packet contents.
  • Sending custom network packets.
  • Support for both wireless and wired networks.
  • Integration with Wireshark and other network tools.
  • APIs for C/C++, Java, .NET, and MATLAB.

WinPcap is widely used in network tools and system utilities for debugging, troubleshooting, network monitoring, network forensics, and more. It allows developers to build packet sniffers, protocol analyzers, network monitors, and other software that requires low-level access to network frames. The library is open-source, well-documented, and has been under active development for over 15 years.

WinPcap Features

Features

  1. Packet capture and transmission
  2. Low-level network access
  3. Network analysis and troubleshooting
  4. Works with WiFi and Ethernet networks

Pricing

  • Open Source

Pros

Free and open source

Wide protocol support

Integrates with many tools like Wireshark

Lightweight and efficient

Cons

Limited to Windows

Steep learning curve

Requires admin rights on Windows Vista and later

Official Links

Official Website
https://www.winpcap.org/

The Best WinPcap Alternatives

Top Network & Admin and Packet Capture and other similar apps like WinPcap

Here are some alternatives to WinPcap:

Microsoft Network Monitor icon
Microsoft Network Monitor
Microsoft Message Analyzer icon
Microsoft Message Analyzer
Win10Pcap icon
Win10Pcap
WinDivert icon
WinDivert
Suggest an alternative ❐

Microsoft Network Monitor icon

Microsoft Network Monitor

Microsoft Network Monitor (NetMon) is a packet analyzer and sniffer tool for Windows that enables users to capture, view, and analyze network traffic. It provides advanced network diagnostic capabilities to help troubleshoot connectivity issues, analyze protocol behavior, debug client/server communications, and more.Some key features of Microsoft Network Monitor include:Real-time capture...
Microsoft Network Monitor image
Microsoft Message Analyzer icon

Microsoft Message Analyzer

Microsoft Message Analyzer is a powerful tool for capturing, displaying, and analyzing network traffic and diagnosing issues with systems and applications. Some key features include:Capturing live network traffic or importing capture files (like .pcap files)Powerful filtering, searching, and analysis of network traffic and log messages Displays traffic flow sequence, conversation...
Win10Pcap icon

Win10Pcap

Win10Pcap is a powerful and free network packet analyzer and packet capture software application designed specifically for the Windows 10 operating system. It allows users to monitor network traffic, troubleshoot connectivity issues, analyze network usage, debug protocols, reverse engineer binary network protocols, audit security risks, and more.Some key features of...
Win10Pcap image
WinDivert icon

WinDivert

WinDivert is an open-source packet capture and manipulation tool for Windows systems. It works at the driver level to allow applications to intercept, modify, and inject network packets that are sent to or from the machine.Some key capabilities and use cases for WinDivert include:Network packet capture and inspection - WinDivert...
WinDivert image